Be Prepared To Cough Up $59, For Basic Membership, This Fall

Got the word last night that AOPA's Mark Baker wanted to brief me on an announcement at 0830 (ET) this morning and was hoping for some good news... maybe a breakthrough on the Third-Class medical logjam or the like.

I had high hopes...

I should have known better.

Instead of the good news I'd hoped for, Baker wanted to explain a recent decision whereby AOPA will be increasing its annual membership dues and adding multiple layers of service/structure to their membership hierarchy. According to Baker, there have been but two dues increases in the last 20 years -- but after instigating some aggressive efforts at cost containment designed to bringing AOPA operational expenses to what he described as "2006" levels, the dues increase is apparently very much needed, regardless.

Since Phil Boyer left, the organization has lost a lot of its membership horsepower... from a high that was well into the 400K level, to a level now described (officially) at somewhat more than 350K... although sources indicate that the number may be a bit more depressing than that. A membership dues increase is unlikely to enhance that situation.

I was able to get some background from Baker on the issues he's dealt with and the understandings he's gathered since taking on the mantle of leadership last year -- and its obvious that Mark was a bit surprised at what he walked into... both in terms of the (lack of) health of the industry as well as the organization he took over. Baker did indicate that, as a result, there was a "Back to Basics" mentality in play now at AOPA, that the organization will make a greater effort to reach out and synergize with the other alphabets, and that some of the commercial projects (that created some very bad press for the org) were heading for the dumpster. When asked about the future of the much-maligned FlyQ offering, he indicated that he wasn't prepared to discuss it at the moment, but the impression he left was that this project, which did not endear AOPA (at all) to the rest of the flight planning services and software community--or much of its membership, was swirling the drain and was probably not long for this world. 

What was particularly interesting was the fact that while basic AOPA membership dues will increase (with the option of a $10 discount if you're willing to get your membership magazine in digital format), that there will be a number of additional tiers of membership and membership services -- all for an additional fee, of course -- and that many of the services that AOPA members used to get "For Free" are now likely to carry a price tag (or a bigger one) in the future.

AOPA provided the following membership price and service roster... which we are submitting below, exactly as it was presented to us:

AOPA New Rates and Options

Regular Membership $59 - AOPA's Regular Membership provides essential tools for pilots, including advocacy, unlimited website access, a one-year subscription to your choice of either Pilot or Flight Training magazine, weather, flight planning tools, access to webinars, AOPA's Airport Directory online, and more. 

e-Membership $49 - With AOPA's e-Membership, you can take advantage of all the essential tools for pilots included in the Regular Membership but receive a digital-only edition of Pilot or Flight Training magazine. By selecting digital access to the magazine of your choice, you cut our printing and mailing costs, and we pass those savings on to you.

Premier Membership $99 - AOPA's Premier Membership delivers a higher level of service for your busy lifestyle. You'll get all the essential tools of a Regular Membership plus dedicated priority access to our aviation helpline, AOPA Navigators concierge service, a 10% discount on optional Pilot Protection Services, and a digital edition of either Pilot or Flight Training magazine so you can read on the run. 

Premier Plus Membership $179 - Premier Plus Membership delivers our highest level of service for active pilots. Premier Plus members receive all the benefits of Premier Membership as well as Pilot Protection Services Plus to protect your certificate and your medical, all in one package. By taking advantage of this special bundled pricing, you save nearly 20% on the cost of Pilot Protection Services Plus alone.

Life Membership $750 - Make an investment in the future of general aviation and never pay dues again with a Life Membership. You'll receive all the benefits of Regular Membership for as long as you live. It's an exceptional value and an easy way to make sure you've always got AOPA as your wingman.

Premier Plus Life Membership $1,999 - For the active pilot and committed general aviation advocate, we offer the Premier Plus Life Membership. You'll receive a lifetime of Premier Plus benefits, including Pilot Protection Services Plus while helping ensure that AOPA is always here.

As always, we're looking this over carefully and will have more to say on the matter shortly -- stay tuned...

FMI: www.aopa.org